Improvement in invalid-bedsteads



f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. GUYER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEIVI ENT IN INVALID-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,211, dated July 10,1866 g, antedated May l, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. GUYEE, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and Improved Invalid- Bedstead and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXactdescription thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to makeand use the same, reference being 'had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a sidesectional view of my invention taken in the line :t at', Fig. 2; Fig. 2,a plan or top view of the same; Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, detached views ofthe bed-bottoni, showing the different positions in which it may beadjusted.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention relates to a new and improved invalid-bedstead; and itconsists in constructing the bed-bottom in such a manner that it will becapable of being adjusted in various positions, so that the patient maybein a horizontal position or have his body more or less inclined, andthe lower extremities more or less bowed, as may be required, thebed-bottom, by means of the several adjustments, being readily7converted from a bed to a chair, and also capable of being readilyadapted to the length of the legs of the patient.

The invention is more especially designed for hospitals; but it may beadvantageously used in all cases.

Arepresents a horizontal rectangular frame supported by four legs, a,provided with casters b, the ends of the frame A having handles cattached to it. These parts constitute the bedstead.

The bed-bottom is composed of threeprincipal parts, B O D.

The part B is constructed of two parallel side strips, el d, connectedby cross-bars e, and the strips d d are attached at one end to the sidepieces, ff, of the frame A by pivot-bolts g. This part B supports thebody of the patient, and it may be placed in a horizontal position, soas to rest on strips h It, attached to the inner surfaces of the sidesofthe frame A or it may be placed in an inclined position and secured ata greater or less degree of inclination by means of a prop or frame, E',

which is attached to the back or under side of B by hinges i, and hasits lower end fitted in racks jj on the strips h 7L.

The part C of the frame A is composed of two side strips, k 7c,connected by a cross-bar, Z, the strips 7c 7c being connectedat one endto the side pieces, ff, of the frame A by the same bolt-s g whichconnect the part B to A. The opposite ends of the strips k 7c havelongitudinal slots l made in them, in which the ends of a shaft, E, areiitted, the ends of said shaft being square and having each a screw, F,passing through them, said screws also passv ing through metal straps G,which are litt-ed over the slotted ends of the strips lo 7c.

By turning the screws F it will be seen that the shaft E may be movednearer to or farther from the ends of the strips 7c k.

The part D is constructed similarly to the part C, m fmJ being the sidestrips, and n u cross-bars connected to it. The strips m m are iitted atonel end on the shaft E, at the inner sides of the strips k k of thepart C, and at the lower end of D there are two side catches, o o,which, when shoved outward, engage with racks p p on the strips 7L h offrame A.

The two parts C D support the legs or lower extremities of the patient;and it will be seen that by adjusting the partD on the racks p 19 thetwo parts C D may be made to have a more or less oblique positionrelatively with each other, and the thighs, or the portion of the legsfrom the thighs to the knees, placed at a greater or less degree ofinclination, as described.

The two parts C D may also be lengthened or distended to suit the lengthof the legs by adjusting the shaft E, as previously described. Thislengthening or distending of the parts C D, besides the mere adapting ofsaid parts to suit the length of the legs, may be advantageously'employed in treating fractured limbs.

Incase a patient desires to be adjusted in a sitting posture, thecatches o o are shoved inward, so as to be free from the racks p p,whichwill admit of the part D descending between `the strips h h, so that thelower parts `of the taobed to the parts B C at each side, and G' Thecombination of the three parts B C D, is a drawer tted in one side ofthe frame A, adjustable shaft E, and slotted strips lo 7c, conand H is aslide tted in the opposite side of struoted and arranged to operatesubstantially said frame. as and for the purposes set forth.

The different positions of the bed-bottom are shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5,land 6.

I am aware that bed-bottoms have been provided With an adjustable part,B, and I do not claim said part separately.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- WILLIAM A. GUYER.

Witnesses THEO. TUsoH, M. M. LWINGsToN.

